Stock consistency control



N 933- D. E. LEWELLEN ET AL 1,933,814

S TOCK CONSISTENCY CONTROL Filed June 27 1930 dual M4 abeater.

Patented Nov. 7, 1933 PATENT OFFICE STOCK CONSIS'IENCY CONTROL Darcy E. Lewellen and Emmons F. Lewellen, Columbus, Ind.

Application June 27, 1930. Serial No. 464,406

1'! Claims.

This invention relates to controlling devices for use in connection with paper making machinery. In paper making processes, the paper stock, or fibers, are prepared by first passing them through This beater pulverizes the paper stock material, mixing it with water and this operation is the first hydrating process. When the beating process is finished, the contents of the beater are discharged into a stuff chest. In ordinary practices a number of different beaters will be emptied into the same stuil chest. During the process, the stock passes from the stuiI chest to a Jordan,

which completes the beating or hydrating operation. The Jordan and heater not only pulverize 15 the paper stock, but thoroughly mix it with water, forming a liquid stock, or cellulose, from which the paper is made. This cellulose consists of the individual stock fibers carrying water which has been mechanically beaten into and absorbed by the fibers. In addition to this, the stock passing to the machine consists largely of carrier water which is not combined with the cellulose, or paper fibers, but acts only as a means of carrying the fibers through the various processes to the paper machine.

On some types of paper machines, such as the Fourdrinier type, the paper stock passes to a moving woven wire cloth, commonly known as a Fourdrinier wire. This cloth is in the form of an endless band. Directly below this wire are suction boxes to which are connected suction pumps for removing the air and water which pass through this wire. The removal of this air causes the atmospheric pressure on the top of the wire carrying the sheet of paper being formed to force any remaining water down through the paper sheet, through the woven Fourdrinier wire into the suction box. From this point this carrier water passes out through the suction pumps.

The degree of heating or hydrating must be changed for different qualities and grades of paper, but should be uniform for each individual grade. As long as this is uniform and the consistency of the stock is unchanged, the vacuum created in the suction boxes will beconstant. It

is desirable to maintain a uniform grade of stock and as nearly as possible a uniform vacuum at the suction boxes.

The paper stock is delivered to a head box and the amount being fed to the machine is regulated by an adjustable gate valve. As long as the proportion between the water and stock is constant, a uniform fiow of stock to the paper machine is maintained. If the consistency of the stock changes, that is, if a proportionately greater box to which the paper stock is pumped after amount of water is used, a less quantity of paper fiber is delivered to the machine for a given quantity of water passing through the same opening of the gate valve. Because of the less amount of paper stock fibers, the air and water will pass more freely through the paper sheet being formed and the vacuum in the suction boxes will be decreased. The same effect will take place if the beating and Jordaning processes are insufficient.

It is therefore desirable to maintain uniformity in these various processes.

When the consistency of the stock changes and the quantity of paper fibers delivered to the machine decreases, this is corrected by increasing the opening of the gate valve. If the consistency of 7 the stock remains constant and the vacuum changes, then the adjustments are made to the Jordan to correct the J ordaning or beating operations.

.The object of this invention is to provide means for automatically controlling these various proc esses. This control consists of a vacuum gauge in control of the Jordan adjustments and also of the gate valve adjustments. The objects and purposes of these controlling devices will become more apparent as details are more fully described.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which is made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts,

Figure l is a side elevation of a paper making machine with my invention applied thereto, oertain parts being shown diagrammatically.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a detail.

Referring to the drawing 1 represents a stock completion of the Jordaning operation. Numeral 2 is a hand adjusted gate valve. 3 is an automatically adjusted gate valve. This gate has a rack 4 with teeth engaged by similar teeth on pinion 5. Pinion 5 and gear 6 are mounted on shaft '2. Worm gear 6 has teeth meshing with worm 8 whichis attached to the shaft on motor 9. a

It will be seen that by operating the motor 9 in one direction, gate 3 will be opened and by operating it in the opposite direction, gate 3 will be closed. 7

10 is a flow box, through which the stock passes from stock box 1, on to the Fourdrinier wire 11. The top of Fourdrinier wire 1 1 is moved to the left as indicated by the arrow and carries with it the water and paper stock passing through the flow box, 10. As the wire 11 passes irom the roll 14 to the left, most of the -water passes by gravity through the sheet of paper being formed down below the machine, where it is carried away by a suitable drainage. Fourdrinier wire 11 passes over the top of suction boxes 12 and around suction roll 13 back to roll 14. As explained in the first part of these specifications, this Fourdrinier wire is in the form of a continuous band. 15 is a vacuum gauge connected to suction box 12 through pipe 16, and to suction roll 13 through pipe 17. There are two stop cocks at 18 and 19, which are used to connect the vacuum gauge 15 to suction roll 13, or suction box 12 as may be required.

The movable arm 25 of the vacuum gauge 15 carries contact 20. Mounted on an adjustable plate 15-A of gauge 15 are contacts 21, 22, -23 and 24. This adjustable part 15-A of the gauge 15 can baturned so as to bring the contacts into engagement at any point of the travel of the arm 25. This provision is made to enable the operator to move contacts 21, 22, 23 and 24 in the adjustable part of the gauge, so as to bring these points into engagement with contact 20 at any predetermined point on the gauge. As shown more clearly in the enlarged view in Figure 2, contacts 22 and 23 are adjustable relative to each other. Contact 22 is connected by wire 26 to one terminal of coil 27 of switch 28. The other terminal of coil 27 is connected by wire 29 to terminal 30 on limit switch 31. On limit switch 31, the contacts 30 and 32 are movable, while the contact 33 is stationary. Normally, contacts 32 and 30 are held in engagement with stationary contact 33.

On rack 4 is a projection 34 which engages contact 32 when gate 3 has reached its uppermost limit of travel and engages contact 30 when gate 3 has reached the lowest point of its travel. Contact 33 is connected by wire 35 to contact 36 of switch 37. From 36 a circuit passes through contacts 38, 39, 40, wire 41, contacts 144, 42, 43, 44 and wire 45 to power wire 46. From contact '20 the circuit passes through wire 47, wire 48 to power wire 49.

Circuit from contact 23 passes through wire 50 to coil terminal 51 of coil 54. From coil terminal 52 through wire 53, contacts 32, 33, wire ;35, contacts 36, 38, 39, 40, wire 41, contacts 144, '42, 43, 44, wire 45, to power wire 46.

The terminal 55 of hand operated switch 56 is connected to contacts 21 and 24 on gauge 15. Contact 57 of switch 56 is connected by wire 47 to contact 20, by wire 48 to line wire 49. Contact 59 of switch 56 is connected by wire 60 to terminal 61 of coil 62. Terminal 63 is connected by wire 64 to line wire 46.

It will be seen that when the switch arm 65 is in engagement with contact 55, the circuit from contacts 21 or 24 will pass from contact 55 through contacts 59, wire 60, coil 62 and wire 64 to line wire 46.

It will also be seen that when the switch arm 65 is in engagement with contact 57, the coil 62 is in the circuit with contact 20.

Normally, switch 37 is in the position shown in the drawing with the following contacts in engagement: 66 and 67, 38 and 39, 68 and 69. When a circuit is passed through coil 62, the switch 37 is moved to its opposite position so that contacts67 and 70, 39 and 71, 69 and 72,

are in engagement. From contacts 66, 38 and 85 when shaft has reached the limit of its travel in either direction. Contact 86 of limit switch is stationary.

Contacts 70, 71 and 72 of switch 37 are connected by wires 86, 87 and 88 to motor 76. On end of the shaft of motor 76 is mounted a handwheel 76-A. On the end of the shaft of motor 9 is mounted a handwheel 9-A.

It will be seen that when motor 76 is operated in one direction, the Jordan shaft 80 carrying the adjustable plug will be moved to the right and when this motor is operated in the opposite direction this shaft will be moved to the left. A flexible coupling 89 permits the movement of shaft 80 to the right or left without disturbing the main driving motor 90.

There is provided a controlling device similar to that ,shown in our Patent No. 1,815,155, above mentioned, in which motor 91 drives shaft .92 by means of worm 93 and gear 94. On shaft 92 is a cam 95 which engages pin 96 on arm 97.. Ann 97 is pivoted on shaft 98. On one end of arm 97 is pin 99 which engages arm 100. Ann 100 carries contact 101. Arm 102 is pivoted on shaft 103. On shaft 104 is a disc 105 carrying a projection 106, which moves across a scale 107. On disc 105 is a pin 108 which engages arm 102 which carries contact 109.

It will be seen that when projection 106 is" and contact 101 brought into engagement with contact 109. The length of time contacts 101 and 109 are in engagement will depend upon the position of the projection 106. It will be noted that motor 91 is connected through to power lines 46, 49 and 110, so that motor 91 is always in operation when switch 111 is closed.

In operation when the pin 96 drops off the point of cam 95, the end of arm 97 carrying the pin 96 drops, raising the opposite end carrying pin 99. Pin 99 then engages arm 100 instantly, disengaging the contacts 101 and 109.

A circuit passes from line wire 49 through wire 112, contact 113 of coil 114 on switch 115, to terminal 116 through wire 117, contacts 101, 109,

wire 118, to power wire 46, completing the circuit through the coil 114.

The following circuits are completed when switch and switch 28 are closed:

One circuit from wire 49 through wire 119,

contact 120, contact 121, contact 122, contact 123, wire 124, wire 125, contacts 126, 127, 128, wire 129, contact 130, contacts 67, 66, wire 73, to motor 9.

Another circuit from line wire 110, wire 131,

contact 132, 133, 134, 135, wire 136, wire 137/ contacts 138, 139, 140, 141, wire 142, contacts 143, 69, 68, wire 75 to motor 9.

Another circuit from line wire 46 through wire 45, contacts 44, 43, 42, 144, wire 41, contacts. 40, 39, 38, 36, wire 74 to motor 9, so that when length of time contact points 101 and 109 are in engagement.

The circuits to motor 9 are as follows when switches 115 and 145 are closed.

From line wire 110 to wire 131, contacts 146, 147, 148, 149,wire 125, contacts 126, 127, 128, wire 129, contacts 130, 67, 66, wire 73, to motor 9.

Another circuit will be completed from line wire 49 through wire 119,-contacts 150, 151, 152, 153, wire 137, contacts 138, 139, 140, 141, wire 142, contacts 143, 69, 68, and wire 75 to motor 9.

Another circuit will be closed as follows:

From line 46 through wire 45, contacts 44, 43, 42, 144, wire 41, contacts 40, 39, 38, 36, wire 74, to motor 9.

It will therefore be seen that when switch 145 is closed the motor 9 will be turned in the opposite direction.

When a circuit passes through coil 62, the switch 37 is moved to its opposite position and contacts, 67, 39, and 69 are brought into engagement with contacts 70, 71 and 72. In this event the circuit passes to motor 76 instead of to motor 9.

Suction pumps are attached to pipes 16A and 17-A to remove the air and water from the suction boxes 12 and the suction roll 13.

When the paper stock reaches the point 154 on the Fourdrinier wire 11, (it consists of a very high percentage of water with a small percentage of paper-forming fibers. When the paper sheet reaches the suction boxes 12, practically the only water remaining in the sheet is the water which has been beaten into or absorbed by the paper fibers and which must be removed by suction, mechanical pressure applied to press rolls through which the paper passes, or by evaporation during the time the paper passes over hot dryers. When the sheet reaches the suction boxes 12, the fibers have been formed into a homogeneous sheet and as long as all conditions are uniform, the vacuum created in suction boxes 12 will remain uniform.

If there are any changes in the stock reaching wire 11, such for instance as the degree of hydration of the stock, or the consistency of the stock, that is, the proportion between the water and paper fibers, the vacuum at the boxes 12 will change.

It is the purpose of this invention to automatically make adjustments of the Jordan plug, which is mounted on shaft 80 or the stock box gate 3, to automatically compensate for any variations in the stock which cause a change in the vacuum on these suction boxes 12.

The method of operation is as follows:

The Jordan plug 80 is set by handwheel 76-A to secure the proper hydration of the stock. The stock gates 2 and 3 are set by handwheels 2A and -9-A to admit the proper amount of this stock to wire 11 to form a sheet of paper of the desired quality, weight, and thickness. The movable plate 15A on gauge 15 is set so that contact is midway between contacts 22 and 23 when the vacuum gauge pointer indicates the vacuum in suction boxes 12 corresponding with the paper sheet being made. This plate carries contacts 21, 22, 23 and 24 and is adjustable by any suitable means to position these contacts so that the contact 20 may engage these contacts at any predetermined position of arm 25. Contacts 22 and 23 are also adjustable on plate 15A to increase or decrease the distance between these contacts and allow a greater or less movement of contact 20 before it engages contacts 22 or 23.

If the quality of paper stock being used and the sheet of paper being made are such that a variation in the consistency of the stock is more likely to occur, the movable arm of the switch 56 will be placed in its mid-position and-will not be in engagement with either contact 55 or 57. In this event, the movement of the contact 20, bringing it into engagement with contacts 22 or 23 will operate the stock box motor 9 and increase or decrease the opening of gate valve 3 to admit a greater or less quantity of paper stock to wire 11.

We assume that the machine is now operating on this quality of stock and paper and in that case the method of operation is as follows:

Assuming that the machine is in operation and that the contact 20 operated by the vacuum gauge is in the mid-position between contacts 22 and 23. When a change occurs in the vacuum on suction boxes 12, reducing the vacuum, pointer 25 will move to the left to a lower position on the scale and contact 20 will move to the right into engagement with contact 23. This closes a circuit as follows:

From wire 49 through wire 48, contact 57, wire 47, contact 20, contact 23, wire 50, contacts 51, 52, wire 53, contacts 32, 33, wire 35, wire 74, contacts 36, 38, 39, 40, wire 41, contacts 144 to contact 42.

It will be understood that the controller motor 105 91 is running continuously and bringing contacts 101 and 109 into engagement at regular intervals. When these contacts are brought into engagement-a circuit will be formed from wire 46 through wire 118, contact 109, 101, wire 117, con- 110 tacts 116, 113, wire 112, to wire 49, which will complete a circuit through coil 114 and close switch 115.

When this occurs the contacts 42 and 43 will be brought into engagement and the first cir- 115 cuit just described will continue from contact 42, through contacts 43, 44, wire 45 to wire 46. This closes switch 145. During the time switches 145 and 115 are both closed, circuits will be formed as follows:

From wire 46 through wire 45, contacts 44, 43, 42, 144, wire 41, contacts 40, 39, 38, 36, wire 74 to motor 9. Also from wire 49 through wire 119, contacts 150, 151, 152, 153, wire 137, contacts 138, 139, 140, 141, wire 142, contacts 143, 69, 68, wire 125 75 to motor 9.

A circuit is also formed from wire 110 through wire 131, contacts 146, 147, 148, 149, wire 125, contacts 126, 127, 128, wire 129, contact 130, contacts 67, 66, wire 7.3 to motor 9.

When these circuits are formed, motor 9 will be in operation and will move gate 3 to increase the opening and admit a greater amount of stock at the wire 11. The amount of movement of gate 3 will be determined by the length of time contacts 101 and 109 are in engagement and these in turn will be fixed by the position of the projection 106 on scale 107. After this movement of gate 3 an interval of time elapses which is sufficient to allow the additional amount of stock to reach 140 the suction boxes 12. This interval of time is fixed by the speed of the cam 95. If the additional amount of stock admitted to the wire 11 is sufiicient to restore the vacuum gauge pointer 25, and the contact 20 to their former positions, contacts 20 and 23 will be disengaged and no further action will take place at the gate 3. If on the other hand the change is not sufiicient to bring the pointer back to its former position, this operation will be repeated the next time contacts 101 150 and 109 are brought into engagement and this will continue until the contact 20 reaches the mid-position between contacts 22 and 23. If instead of the consistency of stock becoming thin.- ner it should become thicker, then the vacuum in suction boxes 12 will increase, pointer 25 will move to the right and contact 20 to the left, bringing contact 20 into engagement with contact 22.

Assuming that this has occurred and that contacts 101 and 109 are again in engagement closing switch 115, then circuits will be formed as folows:

From wire 49 through wire 48, contact 57, wire 47, contacts 20, 22, wire 26, contacts 155, 156, wire 29, contacts 30,- 33, wire 35, wire 74, contacts 36, 38, 39, 40, wire 41, contacts 144, 42, 43, 44, wire 45, to wire 46. This completes a circuit through coil 27 closing switch 218. When this occurs, circuits are formed as follows:

From wire 46, through wire 45, contacts 44, 43, 42, 144, wire 41, contacts 40, 39, 38, 36, wire 74 to motor 9.

A circuit is also formed from wire 49 through wire 119, contacts 120, 121, 122, 123, wire 124, wire 125, contacts 126, 127, 128, wire 129, contacts 130, 67, 66, wire 73 to motor 9.

Circuit is also formed from wire 110 through wire 131, contacts 132, 133, 134, 135, wire 136, wire 137, contacts 138, 139, 140, 141, wire 142, contacts 143, 69, 68, wire to motor 9.

Motor 9 will therefore operate in a reverse direction, closing gate valve 3. The amount of this movement also is determined by the length of time contacts 101 and 109 are in engagement. Thus gate 3 will be operating in the opposite direction until the pointer 25, carrying the contact 20 is restored to its position and the contact 20 is midway between contacts 22 and 23. In case the stock being used and the paper being made is such that the adjustments of the gate valve 3' may not restore the vacuum to the proper amount,

'then the movable arm 65 of switchv 56 is placed in engagement with contact 55.

In this event when the adjustments at the stock gate 3 do not immediately restore the vacuum in suction boxes 12 to the proper amount, the pointer 25 will continue to move to the right or left, moving contact 20 into engagement either with contact 21 or 24. In that event the contact 20 would be in engagement with both contacts 21 and 22 or both con tacts 23 and 24. Whenever contact 20 comes into engagement with either contact 21 or 24, a circuit will be formed as follows:

From wire 46, through wire 64 contact 63, coil 62, contact 61, wire 60, contact 59, contact 55, contacts 21 or 24 to contact 20, wire 47, contact 57, wire 48 to wire 49, completing a circuit through coil 62 and moving switch 37 to its opposite position so that contacts 67, 39 and 69 are in engagement with contacts 70, 71 and 72. In that event, the circuits from wires 46, 49 and. will pass to motor 76 and the adjustments will be made on the Jordan plug carried by shaft 80. As long as the contact 20 is in engagement with either contacts 21 or 24, the adjustments to correct the vacuum on suction boxes 12 will be made through the motor 46, adjusting the Jordan shaft 80, and gate valve 3 will remain in a fixed position.

As the proper vacuum on suction boxes 12 is restored, contact 20 will move out of engagement with contacts 21' or 24, breaking the circuit through the coil 62 and restoring switch 37 to the position shown in the drawing and changing the circuits from wires 46, 49 and 110 to motor 9.-

Thereafter, the adjustments to maintain the proper vacuum in suction boxes 12 will be made at the gate valve 3.

It will be seen by the above that during certain variations in the vacuum, this control operates to correct the vacuum by admitting more or less paper stock to the wire 11 by opening or closing gate valve 3, and that for certain other conditions this control operates to control the vacuum at suction boxes 12, by changing the hydrating of the stock through the adjustment of shaft 89 carrying the Jordan plug.

When the paper stock and the paper being made are such that it is more desirable to maintain a uniform hydrating action and where the consistency of the stock is practically uniform, the movable arm 65 of switch 56 is moved into engagement with contact 57. This forms a circuit from wire 49 through wire 48, contact 57, contact 59, wire 60, contact 61, coil 62, contact 63, wire 64, to wire 46. This energizes coil 62 and moves switch 37 to its opposite positions and brings contacts 67, 39, and 69 into engagement with contacts 70, 71 and 72. This switch remains in this position as long as the movable arm 65 on switch 56 is in engagement with contact 5'7.

Now assuming that arm 65 is in engagement with contact 57 and that the contact points 101 and 109 are in engagement, then coil 114 will be energized and switch 115 closed. Now, when the vacuum in suction boxes 12 decreases, the pointer 25 moves to the left and brings contact 20 into engagement with contact 23, forming a circuit as follows:

From wire 49 through wire 48, contact 57, wire 47, contacts 20, 23, wire 50, contacts 51, 52, wire 53, contacts 84, 86, wire 87, contacts '71, 39, 40, wire'41, contacts 144, 42, 43, 44, wire 45, to wire 46, energizing coil 54 and closing the switch 145. When switch is closed, circuits are formed as follows:

From wire 46 through wire 45, contacts 44, 43, 42, 144, wire 41, contacts 40, 39, 71, to motor 76.

Another circuit is formed from wire 49 through wire 119, contacts 150, 151, 152, 153, wire 137, contacts 138, 139, 140, 141, wire 142, contacts 143, 69, 72, wire 88, to motor 76.

Another circuit is formed from wire 110 through wire 131, contacts 146, 147, 148, 149, wire 125, contacts 126, 127, 128, wire 129, contacts 130, 67, 70, wire 86, to motor 76. Motor 76 will then be energized and will move the shaft 80 carrying the Jordan plug to produce the proper hydration to increase the vacuum at the suction boxes 12. This operation also continues only as long as con-' tact points 101 and 109 are in engagement. The control continues to operate in this manner until the pointer 25 is restored to its proper position and the contact 20 is midway between contacts 22 and 23. If the vacuum in suction boxes 12 increases, the pointer 25 moves to the right, bringing the contact 20 into engagement with contact 22 and forms a circuit as follows: From wire 49 through wire 48, contact 57, wire 47, contacts 20, 22, wire 26, contacts 155, 156, wire 29, contact 83, contact 86, wire 87, contacts 71, 39, 40, wire 41, contacts 144, 42, 43, 44, wire 45, to wire 46, completing the circuit and energizing coil 27 closing switch 28. This then forms circuits as follows:

From wire 46, through wire 45, contacts 44, 43, 42, 144, wire 41, contacts 40, 39, 71, wire 87, to motor '76. Another circuit is formed from wire 49 through wire 119, contacts 120, 121, 122, 123, wire 124, wire 125, contacts 126, 127, 128, wire 129, contacts 130, 67, 70, wire 86 to motor '76. Another circuit is formed from wire 110, through wire 131, contacts 132, 133, 134, 135, wire 136, wire 137, contacts 138, 139, 140, 141, wire 142, contacts 148, 69, '72, wire 88 to motor 76. This energizes motor '76 and moves the shaft carrying the Jordan plug in the opposite direction making the proper change in the stock hydration to reduce the vacuum in suction boxes 12. This action also continues until the pointer 25 is restored to its proper position and the contact 20 is midway between the contacts 22 and 23.

A limit switch 31 is provided which breaks the circuit through coils 2'7 or 54 when the gate valve 33 has reached the limit of its travel. A limit switch is also provided for breaking the circuit through one or the other of these coils when the bearing 81 carrying the Jordan shaft 80 has reached the limit of its travel in either direction. These limit switches are so arranged that the circuit is broken through the coil controlling the switch which moves the gate or shaft to the limit of its travel in one direction, but at that time does not break the circuit through the coil moving the gate or shaft in the opposite direction.

While we have shown and described this control as applied particularly to a paper making machine, we wish it distinctly understood that the invention is not limited to this particular use. It is obvious that it may be applied to any machine or process in which it is desirable to control some phase of the process by variations in the vacuum created by the material being made. Furthermore, while we have shown a number of relays and switches, it should be emphasized that we do not limit ourselves to the exact. wiring, nor to the system of relays and switches shown. It should be apparent that there are many ways in which the wiring circuits could be re-arranged so as to operate in a different manner and yet accomplish the same result. Essentially the invention consists of means for controlling a machine or processes from variations in the vacuum or suction boxes, these variations being caused by variations in the material being made. Means for carrying out this means may vary, and a specific system which we have shown is believed to be one of the best which we now know, but in which changes may be made as experiments suggest, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in our device without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore we do not limit ourselves to what is shown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described our said invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with a paper making machine having a compartment in which a partial vacuum is maintained, of a gauge responsive to changes in the vacuum in said compartment, and means including said gauge in control of means for controlling the vacuum in said compartment, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a paper making machine having a compartment in which a partial vacuum is maintained and which vacuum varies with the amount or quality of stock fed to said machine, of means for controlling the quality or quantity of stock fed to said machine to vary the vacuum in said vacuum compartment, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a paper making machine having a compartment in which a partial vacuum is maintained and which vacuum varies with the quality or quantity of stock fed to said machine, of a gauge responsive to variations in said vacuum, and means including said gauge in control of means to maintain a predetermined vacuum in said compartment, substantially as set forth.

4. In combination, a paper making machine having a compartment in which a partial vacuum is maintained, means for processing and means for feeding paper making stock to said machine, a gauge responsive-to, variations in said vacuum, said gauge controlling operation of means for varying the quantity or changing the quality of said stock, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a machine for making paper from processed stock, said machine having a compartment in which a partial vacuum is maintained, the degree of vacuum varying with the quality and quantity of processed stock fed to said machine, of a gauge responsive to variations in said vacuum in control of means to maintain a predetermined vacuum in said compartment by regulating the quantity of stock fed to said machine when the variations are within pre-determined limits and for controlling one or more of the stock processing machines when the vacuum in the compartment overrides predetermined limits, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a paper making machine having a compartment in which a partial vacuum is maintained and which vacuum varies with the quality of stock fed to the machine, of means responsive to variations in the said vacuum for controlling the quality of the stock fed to the machine, substantially as set forth.

'7. The combination with a paper making machine having a compartment in which a partial vacuum is maintained and which vacuum varies with the quality or quantity of stock fed to the machine, of a gauge responsive to variations in the said vacuum, said gauge controlling operation of means for selectively regulating the quality or quantity of the paper stock fed to said machine, substantially as set forth.

8. In a machine for making fabric in sheet form and having a compartment in which a partial vacuum is maintained, said vacuum varying in response to variations in the quality of material fed to the machine, a gauge responsive to changes in the vacuum in said compartment, said gauge controlling means for varying the quality of the stock fed to the machine, substantially as set forth.

9. In a paper making machine having stock feeding means and stock grinding means, and having a compartment in which a partial vacuum-is maintained, said vacuum varying in response to variations in the quantity and quality of the stock delivered by said machines, a vacuum gauge for controlling the stock feeding and stock grinding means in response to variations in the vacuum, substantially as set forth. I

10. In a paper making machine, a stock gate for controlling the amount of stock fed to the machine, a Jordan for grinding the material delivered to the machine, and means responsive to variations in the quantity and quality of the material fed to the machine for controlling either tially as set forth.

11. In a paper making machine, a stock gate for controlling the amount oi stock fed to the machine, a Jordan for grinding the material delivered to the machine, means responsive to vari-- ations in the quantity and quality of the material fed to the machine for controlling either the stock feeding means or the Jordan, and a control device operable to permit intermittent operation of said stock gate or Jordan, whereby these will operate for short durations only, substantially as set forth.

12. In combination with a paper making machine, a device sensitive to the condition of the paper stock in control of means for conditioning the stock, substantially as set forth.

13. In combination with a paper making machine, a device sensitive to the degree of hydration of the paper stock in control of means for regulating the degree of hydration of the stock, substantially as set forth.

it. In combination with a paper making machine, a contacting device operable by the changing degree of hydration of the paper stock, said contacting device controlling circuits to operate means for producing a predetermined degree of hydration of the paper making stock, substantially as set forth.

, 15. In combination with a paper making machine, a device sensitive to the porosity of the paper stock in control of means for regulating the degree of porosity of the stock, substantially as set forth.

16. In combination with a machine for making fabric in sheet .form, a contacting device operable by variation in the degree of porosity of the fabric making stock, said contacting device controlling operation of means for changing the degree of porosity of the fabric making stock, substantially as set forth.

1?. in combination with a paper making machine, a gauge responsive to variations in the porosity of a sheet of paper forming stock, said gauge being in control of means for varying the porosity of the paper making stock, substantially as set forth.

DARCY E. LEW'ELLEN. EMMONS F. N.

Elli] 

